Gas-producing apparatus



Oct. 29, 1929. J j OCQNNOR 1,733,621

GAS PRODUG ING APPARATUS Filed 001;. 12, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l @MJ 050202-61: 5y MM b5 e g.

Oct.29, 1929. v J. J. 0*CONNOR 1,733,621

GAS PRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iu'liglw WW IUI 'H JM z 7 1 J/v aj 06 0712007,

Oct. 29, 1929. J J QCQNNQR 1,733,621

.GAS PRODUCING APPARATUS Filed 001:. 12. 1921 a Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 29, 1929 PATENT OFFICE JOHN J. O'CONNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS GAS-PRODUCING APPARATUS Application filed October 12, 1921. Serial No. 507,288.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for producing ga for heating and illuminating purposes from such material as bituminous coal, coke, lignite, and the like, which will produce such gas more cheaply than it can be produced by apparatus now in common use, the apparatus being adapted to be operative in relatively small sizes which can be readily installed and operated as a part of the heating or power plant of anv large user of gas for heating or power,

and which shall be further adapted for production of gases of the different qualities, as to illuminating and heating value, which are required for different users and at difierent times. It consists in the elements and features of construction of the apparatus and in the steps of the process hereinafter described and illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying this invention, the several elements being shown arranged in line and the view being in this respect diagrammatic, since compactness of the plant may require, and the construction permit, grouping the several elements around a center or otherwise distributing them as the space available may require.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section axial with respect to the several generating furnaces and water seals and gas receivers, and taken looking in the direction indicated at 2-2, on Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a section at the line 33, on Figure 1.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises two identically constructed generators, 1 and 2, which are connected with a common gas receiver, Z. The description of one of these generators and its connections will suffice for both, corresponding parts being indicated by the same reference letters, or the same with exponent, 1, or 10, 11, etc., for the generator, 1, and its appurtenances, and exponent, 2, or 20, 21, etc., for the generator, 2, and appurtenances.

The gas generator 1, is a tubular brick construction, iaving a chamber, A, affording space "for a mass of the gas-yielding material, such as bituminous coal, coke, lignite, peat, and the like. At the bottom of the space is the fire grate, O, spaced upwardly from a horizontal bridge bar, 0, from which the grate is supported by supports, Q. Clean-cut openings, 8, at diametrically opposite positions open into the space between the grate and the bridge bar, 0, and also into the space above the grate and are closed by a clean out door 8. X is an ash pit and blast chamber. P is a pipe connected wit-h a fan, (not shown), for affording an air blast, connected into the blast chamber at an opening which is marked 1), on Figure 2, and provided with blast-controlling valves, p, p, outside the generator wall, as seen in Figure 3. The generator has a charging opening at the top provided with a door or cover, R. B is a ipe leading from the upper art of the c amber, A, to a pipe stack, whose upper discharge end is provided with a hinged cap or valve, C, shown as hinged at one side of the mouth of the pipe, provided with an upstanding arm, C, which carries a weight, C positioned so as to hold the valve either at closed or at open position, as it may be set. The pipe stack, G, is vertical, parallel with the generator, A, and extends down from the point of connection from the pipe, B, to receive a cross connection, J, parallel to the pipe, B, leading from the s ace below the grate and extending be on its. junction with the pipe stack, G, or discharge downwardly at L, into the water seal, M, from which a pipe, N, leads to a gas holder or receiver indicated conventionally at Z. A valve, K, controls communication from the under-grate space to the water seal and thereby to the gas receiver, and to the pipe stack, G, in which, however, there is provided an aditional valve, H, controlling communication of the pipe stack with the water seal, M, and the gas receiver, Z. A pipe, V, leading from a steam generator, (not shown), extends vertically alongside the gas generator, and has connection by a four-way fitting, '0, with the chamber, A, near the upper part thereof, as seen at 'v, in Figure 2, and by the T, v, with the under-grate space, 0. A valve, V, controls the communication of the steam pipe with the upper part of the chamber, A, and a valve, T, similarly controls communication with the under-grate space, 0, as seen at't in Figure 2. In the pipe, V, above the fitting, '0, there is interposed a cut-off valve, V, and above that valve, a branch and by-pass pipe, W, leads off from the steam pipe, V, and ef tends down alongside said steam pipe and is connected into the fittings, o and o, for discharge at o and t. Inthis by-pass pipe, there is interposed a valve, V, near the upper end, and below that valve and above the connection with the fitting, 1;, there is interposed an air mixer shown conventionally at V. Below the connection with the fitting, 22, there is interposed a shut-off valve, V. This by-pass pipe affords means of introducing I mixed air and gas for making producer as as hereinafter explained,the valve, V, eing closed, and the valve, V, opened. For discharge at t, the valve, V, is closed and valve, V, is opened. From the fitting, b, at the junction of the pipe, B, with the stack pipe, G, a pipe, D a valve, E, leads aving to either a receiver for pro ucer gas, or to any apparatus in which the producer gas may be utilized, either by circulation for giving off its sensible heat for any purpose, as for generating the steam to be supplied through the pipes, V, V, or by being burned in a proper steam generating apparatus for the same purpose, or for other utilization of its heat units.

The two generators or producers, 1 and 2, have their chambers, A and A, connected by pipes, F and f, respectively, at the upper part of said chambers, A, and A, and below their grates. These connections are controlled by valves, F and F", respectively.

Understanding that the corresponding parts of the duplicate constructions consisting of and connected with the generator, 2, are indicated by reference letters having exponent 2, the operation of the total structure may now be understood as follows:

U p-mm operation The two chambers, A and A, are filled to a height of aboutnine feet with bituminous coal, lignite, or dry peat, preferably broken to nut coal size. A fire is started in the chamber, A, with Wood before the coal is dumped into the chamber. The charging or coaling doors, R, R, are closed. The valves, F and F, are closed. Valves controlling the steam discharge at V and T, are closed. Cleaning doors, S and S, are closed. Valves, K, H and E, are closed. Valve, C, is open.

The blast-controlling valve, 12", is now opened, and air from an air blower (not shown), enters the blast chamber, X, passes through the grate and up through the fuel bed in the chamber, A. The products of combustion pass out of the chamber, A, through the pipe, B, and out to the atmosphere through the cap valve, C. Or, if this valve is closed and the valve, E, is open, they pass to the producer gas receiver or to a steam generating apparatus which is operated by this producer gas. The combustion of material in the chamber, A, is continued under the air blast until the body of fuel therein becomes incandescent, reachin a tem erature of from 2000 F. to 2500 whic 1, according to experience, is the best temperature for making what is called blue water gas. \Vhen this temperature is obtained, the air blast is shut oil by closing the valve, p.

The cap valve, C, is now closed and the valve, F connecting the chambers, A and A, is opened. The valve, K, which controls communication of the spaceunder the grate, O", with the water seal, M", and receiver, Z, is. opened. Valves,C, E and H, are closed.

Steam is now admitted tothe chamber, A, through the valve, T, below the grate, O. This steam passing up through the hot fuel bed is decomposed and united with the carbon gases, forming hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas and methane.

These hot gases having a temperature of from 1300 F. to 1800 F., pass into the chamber, A, through the open valve, F, and are drawn downward through the mass of fuel in the chamber, A, tending to coke it and drive off the volatile matter thereof, which unites or mixes with the water gas b which it is volatilized; The resultant mixed gases ass through the grate, 0, below the cham er, A, past the valve, K, through the pipe, J and downward terminal, L, into and throu h the water seal, M, thence out through t e pipe, N to the receiver, Z.

Down-run operation After a gas-making period of from three to five minutes, and when the temperature of the fire bed in the chamber, A, has dropped down from its original temperature of 2500 F., or thereabouts, to approximately 1500 F., the steam is shut off from the blast chamber; the valve, F, bein closed, the valve, C, is opened, and the va ve, p, is opened for admitting the blast through the grate to the fuel bed in the chamber, A; and the blast is continued until the fuel bed is reheated to the proper temperature of about 2500 F. When this temperature is attained, the blast-controlhn valve, p, is closed and the cap valve, C, 1s a so closed. The valve F", is now opened for afl'ording communication from the space under the chamber, A", to the space under the chamber, A. The steam-controlling valve, V, is opened, admitting steam to the upper part of the chamber, A, and to the hot fuel bed therein. The valve, K is closed, the valve, E, remains closed, and the cap valve, C, is closed. The valve, H is now 0 ened. Steam passing downward through the meandescent fuel bed in the chamber, A, is decomposed and unites with the red-hot carbon to form hydrogen gas andcarbon monoxide gas. These hot gases passing out through the rate, 0 and through the outlet controlled y the'valve, F", reach the gas chamber under the grate, O and passing up through that grate, and through the semi-coked coal in the'chamber, A drive off volatile matter in the coal which combineswith the hot water-gas' by which its volatilization is caused. The Combined water-gas and coal-gas pass out through the outlet pipe, B down through the vertical pipe, G past the valve, H through the pipe, J and downwardly-extending terminal, L into and through the water-seal and through the pipe, N to the receiver, Z. More gas is made in the down-run than in the up-ru'n, because of the natural tendency of the hot gas or steam to rise, which causes it when forced to take a' downward course,

to be somewhat delayed and remain longer in operative contact with the incandescent mass. The down-run is also more effective than the up-run because it tends to drive the ash and clinker down on to and through the grate, making .the fire easier to clean, and rendering the incandescent mass freer from the blanketing effect of the ash which tends to accumulate through the mass as the combustion and decomposition proceed.

After from six to ten gas-making runs have been made in the manner described, making water gas in the chamber, A and passing the same through the mass in the chamber, A, the coal in the chamber, A will be thoroughly coked. The steam controlling valve, V, the valve, F", between the lower ends of the generators, and the valve, H between the generator, A and the water seal, M are closed. The operator opens the cap valves, C and C of the two generators, and opening the charging door, R of the chamber, A replenishes the fuel charge up to the original depth of approximately nine feet, then closing the said charging door. The two generators with their respective gasyielding masses are now in position to be operated in the reverse order from that described, that is, for producing water gas in the chamber, A and passing it thence through the fuel mass in the chamber, A for producing a gas mixture which will be delivered through the water seal, M, to the receiver, Z. The preceding description will indicate the proper adjustment of the several valves in order to produce this reversed operation. Operating in this reversed order in the same manner as described with respect to the original order, the mass in the chamber, 1, will be coked, and the mass in the chamber, 2, will be reduced; and thereupon the chamber, A may be replenished, and the apparatus operated in the first described order, making water gas in A and passing it through the mass in A.

This apparatus is adapted for a slightly modified operation for producing a gas of intermediate heating power between producer gas, and blue water gas or the combination of blue water gas and coal as which is produced by the process above escribed. The heating value of producer gas is from 100 to 150 B. t. u. per cubic foot, while the combination of blue water gas and coal gas which results from the mode of operation above described, will have a value of between 300 and 400 B. t. u. There is often required for certain manufacturing purposes a gas having a heating value of about 200 to 250 B. t. u. per cubic foot; such a gas may be produced by this apparatus by the following mode of operation:

Either chamber, as the chamber, A, being charged as first described, and the other chamber charged as first described, and fire started in the first chamber for heating the mass therein to incandescence as described, and all the connections being adjusted as first abovedescribed for producing water gas in the chamber, A, and passing it to the chamber, A (or the reverse), steam is admitted under the grate of the chamber in which the mass has been heated to incandescence, as by adjusting the several valves as above described, so that mixed steam and air from mixer V are discharged under the grate and up through the incandescent mass. The result is a-producer gas, which, passing over into the other chamber and down through the mass therein, having'a temperature of from 1000 F. to 1500 F., volatilizes the volatile constituents of the mass in the second chamber, and carries them on with it to the receiver, the resultant gas, or mixture of gases having, as above stated, a heating value of about 200 to 250 B. t. u. per cubic foot. In this mode of operation, air being supplied with the steam, the temperature of the mass in the first chamber is not materially reduced and this step of the operation can be continued for. from an hour to an hour and a half, during which time the bituminous coal, or the like, in the second chamber through which the producer gas is passed will be exhausted of its volatile matter and be substantially thoroughly coked. The enerator which has been operated for deveioping the producer gas will now be replenished up to the original depth of approximately nine feet, and the connections reversed so as to discharge mixed steam' and air under the grate in the chamber in which the mass has become coked as stated, resulting in producer gas which is passed over into the other chambers, and through the mass therein. resulting in a gas mixture of the desired amount of heating capacity which is carried over into the receiver, Z.

It will be understood that in this process, as in the process first described, after the mass in the chamber which is first operated for making producer (gas is brought to incandescence, the mixe air and steam may be injected through at 0), instead of at t by proper adjustment of the several valves as described, so as to be assed downwardly through the mass in deve oping the producer gas, which will then pass u wardly through the mass *to the other cham er; and that in reversing the operation for making producer gas in the other chamber, the same method may be followed,that is, opening the upper steam inlet valve instead of the lower, and so passing the mixed air down instead of up through the fuel mass.

It will be obvious that if it is desired only to produce water gas, each of the two generators, or either one alone, may be operated as described, either by a downward or upward passage of steam through the mass, causing the water gas produced to be delivered either through the pipes, B and B or the pipes, J 2 and J to the water-seal and receiver.

Also, when it is desired to make only producer gas, each chamber may be operated independently of the other in the manner described, by opening the air inlet of the injector associated with the steam controlling valve, whether the upper or lower, as desired.

As indicated, the gas production is greater when the steam, or steam and air, movement is downard through the gas-yielding mass, and it is desirable in the operation of this apparatus in any of the methods described, to make the greater number of runs downward. But it is desirable also to make an occasional run upward for lifting out the ash which is developed, and lightening the mass for preventing it from becoming too muchv compacted, as it is liable to be in continuous downward run. On the other hand, when for any reason it is preferred to make the greatest number of runs upward, it will be found desirable to make an occasional run downward to prevent the grate from becoming overheated as it is liable to be in continuous upward running.

it will be obvious that the producer gas which is developed in the initial operation of the generator, in which it is necessary to aflord draft to the fire for initial heating ot' the fuel mass to incandescence, and in the subsequent reheatings, may be utilized, either for its sensible heat, or for the heat units to be derived from its subsequent complete combustion. For this purpose the producer gas may be led off to a receiver to be subsequently furnished to a steam generator or other apparatus which is to be heated; or it ma be conducted hot from the generator in w rich it is produced to a steam generator or other apparatus where its sensible heat may be immediately utilized, and where it may also be burned for its further heating capacity. 01' it will be evident that by leading this producer gas through the fuel bed of the other generator for coking the, coal therein the sensible heat of the gas will be largely absorbed in this operation. It is not thought necessary to illustrate the apparatus or connections in which such utilization of the producer gas may be obtained. But it will be understood that for this purpose the valves, E and E will be opened during the operation of the generator under draft for producing the original incandescence, andthat at all other times the said valves, E E will be kept closed.

\Vhen it is desired to enrich either the water gas or the producer gas generated as above described for increasing its illuminating power, as by the use of material rich in hydrocarbons such as tar, fuel oil, and the like, such enriching substance may be supplied through injectors, of which several may be positioned in the top of each of the generators, each connected with the source of the enriching material and controlled by valves, U and U the admission of the enriching material for enrichment of the gas is preferably to the generator in which the water gas is being produced, so that any residual carbon from the tar or oil may be deposited on the incandescent mass from which the water gas is being developed, and constitute so much addition to the carbon to be decomposed by the steam in producing the water gas.

The chief advantages claimed for this apparatus and the process described are the following:

(a) That the coking of the bituminous coal and the like is better accomplished by driving the hot gases through the coal than by the application of external heat to a closed retort, as in a common method.

(1)) That the downward movement of the steam or steam and air through the yielding mass is much more eiiective for roducing gas therefrom than the methods eretofore employed.

(a) That the duplication of all parts of the apparatus makes it possible to carry on practically continuous operation without transference of material from place to place between the successive steps.

(03) That by making the water gas or producer gas in the apparatus in which it may also operate for the production of water gas or producer gas for repeating the coking operation upon a fresh mass which replenishes that from which the water gas was first produced, makes it possible in the unitary apparatus to completely exhaust the gas-yielding capacity of the coal in one continuous operation without rehandling, and without loss of heat by cooling between the several steps.

In view of the expansion and contraction of I the pipe connections between the two gener ators, 1 and 2,which will occur in use, it is desirable to provide flexible or extensible elements capable of accommodating themselves to the varying conditions at these connections. Such elements are shown at W and W", consisting each of two spring metal stamped annular disks, w, w, dished and flanged for securing these together by bolts through their mated flanges, w, w, said annular disks being bolted at their inner circumferences respectively to the flanges of the adjacent pipe fittings, as shown in Figure 2.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for producin gas from carbonaceous material such as ituminous coal, coke, lignite, or peat, which comprises du licate gas nerators and a gas receiver, sac of said uplicate generators having a chamber for gas-yielding material, and each having, above and below the material holding space of said chamber, duplicate gas-conducting connections; one up r and one lower of said connections of eac chamber being common to the two chambers for communica-v tion between them, the other upper and lower connections of each chamber leading to the receiver; and a separate valve for controlling each of said communications to cause circulation from each chamber throu h the other to the receiver connection of t e other in either direction, as between the chambers, and in either direction, up or down, as to each chamber.

2. An apgaratus for prodn combustible gas m carbonaceous material such as bituminous coal, coke, lignite, or peat,

' which comprises two chambers in which gas yieldin material may-be exposed to combustion an other decomposition; means for producing and means for controlling draft throu h said material for combustion thereof; va ved connections between said chambers above and below the material holding space thereof; a gas receiver and valved communications. from the chambers resggctivel thereto, leading from above and m be ow the material containing space of the chamber; said valved communications bein independently controllable for determining the order and direction of communication and gas circulation through said chambers.

3. A gas generating apparatus which comprises two chambers in which yieldi material may be exposed to com ustion an other decomposition; each of said chambers having du hcate conductlixlilglconnections o ave emateri-odmg' ace thereof, and duplicate s conducting donnections opening below t e material holding space, one upper and one lower of said connectlons being common to the two chambers for commumcation between them; a receiver to which the other upper and lower connections of each -chamber lead and separate valves for controlling each of said gas conductin connections to-cause circulation from each c amber through to the other to the receiver connection of the other in either direction, as between the chambers, and in either direction, up or down, within each chamber;

together with steam injecting connections to 

